THE INFERTILITY INDUSTRY: INSPIRING TECHNOLOGY GIVES BIRTH TO COMPLEX MORAL UNCERTAINTIES

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are rapidly advancing, permitting more couples and individuals to overcome their infertility. These advances, taking place largely outside the reach or view of government regulation or oversight, create numerous important consequences that raise serious ethical considerations. There is a need for consumer protection for infertile couples, as well as the assurance of the safety and efficacy of techniques and donated human cellular materials. Most fundamentally the moral questions raised by the techniques and their consequences must be addressed. The legal status of embryos, the many problems that arise from multiple fetus pregnancies that result from over-implantation of embryos, the non-therapeutic genetic screening that the technology permits, and the ever-increasing maternal age all raise fundamental ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas are not being resolved because any discussion or resolution treads close to the emotional and politically charged politics of abortion. This paper highlights the various consequences of ART, identifies the ethical consequences, and discusses the proper forum for their possible resolution.